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From the industrial revolution to the computer age, from the impact of the French Revolution to the Arab Spring, explore the rapid changes during modern and contemporary history and the impact they have on the world today.
Immerse yourself in key debates around these developments, taking a global approach to the study of the recent past. Work with scholars whose expertise spans across social, cultural, and political history as well as histories of gender, race, and class. With a vast range of optional modules, including a practical placement, this course will give you key transferable skills and an understanding of the modern world for your future career.
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
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Experience the freedom to tailor your degree, choosing modules such as environmental politics, information technology, post-colonial migration histories of sexuality, feminist movements, and internationalism and empire.
This course lets you combine modules spanning across our History Department to enhance your understanding of the contemporary period. There’s even the option to select modules from other subject areas, from classics to art history or modern languages. Whatever direction you take, you’ll be supported by our expert Centre for Modern and Contemporary History.
Work with a dedicated research centre for Modern and Contemporary History.
Receive ongoing support from your module tutors and personal supervisor.
Choose modules across a range of disciplines and topics.
Don’t miss out on the option to take your learning from the classroom to the real world with our optional Public History placement module. Work with museums, archives or historic houses on a public history project and gain valuable industry experience. Whether you're following your passion for history to gain transferable skills or focusing on a career in the field, your future begins at Birmingham.
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in History and Heritage.
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits |
---|---|
History Dissertation | 60 |
LM Critical Histories of the Present | 20 |
LM Historical Approaches | 20 |
LM Research Preparation | 20 |
Students must take 20 credits of optional modules from the Contemporary History list (List A).
Any remaining credits can be taken from the list of generic History options (List H).
Students must also write their dissertation on a topic within the pathway area of specialism.
Modern and Contemporary History Pathway Options.
This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability:
Contemporary History Special Subjects
(Students must take TWO co-requisite modules). This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.
List D: General History Pathway
Students may take any remaining credits from the following list:
This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.
General History Special Subjects
(Students must take TWO co-requisite modules, 20 credits in each Semester). This list is indicative; not all modules will run each year depending on staff availability.
Students may take 20 – 40 credits of module outside the department such as a foreign language, or a relevant module from another department (such as Classics, Art History, English, etc).
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
in a relevant subject
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Full-time
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
To study this pathway, you'll need to apply for MA History, and you can choose to take the pathway when you begin your studies.
By studying a postgraduate degree in History or Heritage at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to collate together information, strong written and verbal communication skills, and analytical skills.
Our History and Heritage graduates enter many roles, including:
Employers our History and Heritage graduates have worked for include:
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits [The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report].
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.